After reaching their destination, Ankit and Kamal made their way to the hut. Ankit noticed the grass around it was an abnormally bright green.
The grass near the hut glowed vibrantly, while all the grass they'd seen on the journey looked normal.
Comparing them, Ankit sensed the hut's grass was ten times more vital. "Dad, look at the grass around the hut versus what we show while our journey—it's clearly ten times greener. That's all because of essence flow," he said.
Kamal hadn't noticed at first, but Ankit's words made him look. He saw it immediately. "So this is the essence flow you talk about..."
"Yes, Dad. If I keep progressing with it, I can achieve godlike feats—that's why I'm excited to come here. This place has more energy than anywhere else. I wanted to return here many days ago, but I knew you wouldn't agree, so I waited for your leave," Ankit said, relieved to speak openly with his father.
Kamal listened patiently, then spoke after some thought. "You don't have to wait like that anymore. If you want to come here, just tell me. This world always respects the strong. Money has power now, but when people learn about this energy and start using it, power will go to those who wield it."
"Really? Can I come anytime?" Ankit asked, surprised. His father was usually overprotective, never wanting Ankit, his wife, or children in danger alone. That's why Ankit hadn't asked his mother to come—he didn't want her at risk either.
"Yes, you can come with me—even if I have to quit my job," Kamal said.
Ankit didn't want that—it would hurt the family badly. "Father, why don't I stay here? You don't have to keep coming."
Kamal scolded him angrily. "What? Stay alone in this mountain? That's dangerous. No means no—you won't stay alone. I'll stay with you."
"Relax, Dad—this mountain isn't dangerous. If there's trouble, I can handle it. You know I'm strong now, right? Mom and Sanya will miss you—you don't want to leave them alone?"
"I said no. I'll decide if it's dangerous. You're strong, but you're still a kid—shut your mouth. Your mother and Sanya can take care of themselves in the city—they're safe. You won't stay here alone. Wait,I'll make a call." Kamal walked to the car for his phone.
Ankit knew he couldn't change his father's mind, so he entered the hut and started meditating to gather energy. He noticed the energy here was twenty times denser than outside. Happy, he dove into cultivation.
Meanwhile, Kamal called his wife, explaining they'd stay two to three days and not to worry.
Ankit's mother was furious—they'd left without waking her and telling anything, and now this? "You want to stay there? I'll come right now and knock some sense into you both!"
Kamal soothed her. "There are plenty of campers around—no danger." He hid the truth.
She relented. "Okay, stay. But you need food and to bathe. Give me the address—I'll bring necessities."
To avoid slipping up, he said, "Don't worry—I ordered online. Bye." He hung up quickly, then muttered, "I didn't even think about eating or bathing if we're staying."
He placed an online order but used a different pickup location to hide theirs.
Ankit stayed fully focused on gathering essence flow—he didn't notice his father coming and going.
In the afternoon, Ankit's stomach growled like a volcano. "I was so absorbed I forgot to eat. What about Dad—is he fed? He'll be bored." Guilt hit. "I'm not a filial son."
He got up to find Kamal. Stunned, he saw his father chilling in the car, watching cricket, eating snacks. Dirty plates in a polythene bag showed he'd eaten.
Kamal didn't notice him, glued to the match.
Relief washed over Ankit—Dad was fine. He grabbed his food portion from the back seat—all doors open—and ate quietly beside him, watching cricket.